Sutorina: I want it, then I don't – Izetbegović misleads US Congressman

Sutorina and the story of whether the seven kilometers of territory belong to Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro have caused general confusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The team gathered around the controversial professor Suad Kurtćehajić claims it is an inalienable part of BiH's territory, while Montenegro disputes this, writes the Patria News Agency.  

Also, some prominent BiH figures and American lawyer Francis Boyle are explicit in their messages, presenting irrefutable legal facts – this is a dangerous game from which BiH could end up as the absolute loser.  

US Congressman Mike Turner has also gotten involved, sending a letter to the Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH, Bakir Izetbegović, a few days ago, warning him that our country could lose US aid if the Sutorina saga continues.

And then Izetbegović responded promptly.

- Dear Mr. Turner, regarding the positions stated in your letter on the issue of the border demarcation between BiH and Montenegro, I believe you have sent it to the wrong address. The discussion on this issue is taking place in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, so it would be appropriate if you had sent your letter to the leadership and competent bodies of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

If, despite the aforementioned fact, you have decided to write to the Presidency of BiH anyway, then you should have addressed the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Mr. Mladen Ivanić, who represents this institution. Of course, it is possible that you addressed the letter to me because you were suggested that I personally stand behind the initiative launched in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH seeking a review of the border agreement. Those who possibly directed you towards me have clearly made a mistake - Izetbegović's response states.

Izetbegović, or his advisors, forgot that it was precisely he who, in a telephone conversation with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović in January of this year, said something completely different.

Vujanović had stopped the arrival of his diplomat Milan Lukić as the Ambassador of Montenegro to BiH precisely because of the disagreement over Sutorina.

The Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH then had a completely different story, and in the telephone conversation, which Vujanović's cabinet informed the public about, he did not justify himself by saying he was the wrong address. On the contrary, he sided with the initiators.

Before making the decision to postpone the signing of the ambassadorial decree, Vujanović had a telephone conversation with Ivanić, who suggested he talk to Izetbegović. In a telephone conversation with Izetbegović, Vujanović learned that he was not ready to contribute to the finalization of the procedure for signing the State Border Agreement between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina with his positive stance, it was stated at the time in a statement from Vujanović's cabinet.

It was also stated that Izetbegović told Vujanović that he would be in favor of reconsidering this Agreement because he considers it his obligation to "review the arguments presented by a number of public figures, which he acknowledged at a meeting with their representatives."

What is this actually about? And why did Izetbegović first consider Sutorina his obligation, and then two months later, when a US congressman contacted him, un-diplomatically and un-statesmanlike, say he was the wrong address?

In the first case, he spoke directly with Vujanović, and was likely sincere then, admitting that he was in contact with representatives of public figures who had initiated the Sutorina issue. He probably felt it important to show how much he cared about BiH and the initiatives of certain Bosniaks.

In the second case, in response to the US congressman, it is possible that his "advisors" reacted, who, regardless of this case, generally direct him in the wrong direction when it comes to leading both party and state policy.

And finally, it is quite logical that the US congressman would address him, because the avalanche and chaos surrounding Sutorina were initiated precisely by professors and intellectuals from the Bosniak community, of whom he is the nominal leader.

If nothing else, Izetbegović should not have behaved irresponsibly in this communication, but should have explained the same to the US congressman as he did to Vujanović.

By doing so, by claiming he is the wrong address, he has been caught misleading both the congressman and the public, but also diminishing the great importance of the position that voters secured for him in the elections, believing he could be the "number one among Bosniaks." It is clear that he is not up to that position, as are others who think for him. 

The story was initiated by the former rector of the University of Sarajevo

The former rector of the University of Sarajevo, Jusuf Mulić, initiated a campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina to regain Sutorina, access to the open sea, located in Montenegro. Mulić had already submitted documentation on this matter in 2006 to the then member of the Presidency of BiH. The Sutorina issue was reopened in 2012, and last year Kurtćehajić launched a new campaign.

Presidency of BiH without consensus

On November 6, 2014, the Council of Ministers of BiH finalized the Draft Agreement on the State Border between Montenegro and BiH and forwarded it for further procedure to the Presidency of BiH. However, the collective head of state has never declared itself on the proposal because its members have not reached a consensus.